Portable device for liquid and semi-liquid removal and method thereof

ABSTRACT

A portable device for liquid and semi-liquid removal and method therein having a receptacle, lid assembly, vacuum attachment assembly, intake attachment assembly, intake system, and a vacuum system, wherein the lid assembly fastens to the receptacle and connects the intake system and the vacuum system to the receptacle.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a device for liquid removaland more particularly to a portable device for waste removal and methodtherein.

BACKGROUND

Many people enjoy exploring and immersing themselves in the greatoutdoors. Such explorations may be experienced via a recreationalvehicle such as a motor home, a fifth-wheel traveler, or a camper.Alternatively, some people's explorations find themselves exploringwater worlds via a boat, yacht, or even larger marine vessel. While mostpeople tend to remember the positive aspects of owning a recreationalvehicle or a boat, there are some necessary and potentially negativeaspects of owning these vehicles.

For example, when a trip on a boat or recreational vehicle is completed,the head reservoir or holding tank on a boat or a recreational vehicle,respectively, needs to be emptied and properly discarded. The costassociated with waste removal for boat and/or recreational vehicleowners is expensive and inconvenient considering dump stations aretypically limited to marinas and RV camps, respectively. Furthermore,considering the high cost and inconvenience associated with wasteremoval for boats and recreational vehicles, a typical alternativeperformed to circumvent these obstacles is the improper waste removaland disposal into the environment. Due to the inconvenience and clean-uprequired in some cases small recreational boat users avoid using thebuilt in facilities and resort to relieving themselves directly into thewater. This practice harms the environment boat and recreational vehicleenthusiasts seek to enjoy.

There have been attempts to develop a device to aid in self removal ofwaste from a head reservoir or hold tank. For example, a device wasdeveloped that collected waste from reservoirs and hold tanks. Thedesign included a rectangular catch tray set on wheels and was designedto collect the liquid waste from the holding tank or reservoir usingonly gravity that could be then transported to a waste receptacle. Thereare flaws concerning this design that needed to be addressed. Forexample, the device did not include a system or method for removing thewaste from the reservoirs or hold tanks including boat and/orrecreational vehicle attachments, liquid transport tubes, or a vacuumsystem that provided necessary lift to removed the liquid waste.

As such, it is clear that there is an unmet need for a portable devicefor liquid removal and method therein which provides an alternative toconsumers whereby the device removes liquids such as human waste from ahead or holding tank in a timely, cost effective, and environmentfriendly manner.

SUMMARY

Briefly described, in a preferred embodiment, the portable device forliquid removal and method therein of the present disclosure overcomesthe above-mentioned disadvantages and meets the recognized need for sucha device by providing a portable device for liquid removal and methodtherein having a receptacle, lid assembly, vacuum attachment assembly,intake attachment assembly, intake system, and a vacuum system.

More specifically, the receptacle preferably has cylindrical shape andcollects liquid for disposal. The lid assembly preferably fastens to thereceptacle and preferably connects the intake system and the vacuumsystem to the receptacle. A vacuum source such as a shop vacuumpreferably attaches to the vacuum system providing suction; the drivingforce for the device. After proper assembly and after the vacuum sourceis turned on, a suction force begins throughout the device removing theunwanted waste from a reservoir or holding tank then depositing thewaste into a special container rather than soiling the shop vacuum withhuman waste. The lid assembly preferably has shut off valves located inthe vacuum attachment assembly and the intake assembly for easytransport to a proper home waste receptacle such as a toilet.Furthermore, the intake assembly contains preferably a curved elbowintake port, located on the interior of the lid assembly, to directincoming liquid away from the vacuum line in the receptacle and a checkvalve preventing the liquid from a full canister from entering andpotentially damaging the vacuum source.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Accordingly, the present disclosure will be understood best throughconsideration of, and with reference to, the following drawing Figures,viewed in conjunction with the Detailed Description referring thereto,in which like reference numbers throughout the various Figures designatelike structure, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the portable device for liquid removaland method therein shown in an attached position;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the portable device for liquid removal andmethod therein shown in an attached position;;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the lid assembly of the device of FIG. 1;

It is to be noted that the drawings presented are intended solely forthe purpose of illustration and that they are, therefore, neitherdesired nor intended to limit the invention to any or all of the exactdetails of construction shown, except insofar as they may be deemedessential to the claimed invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

In describing preferred embodiment of the portable device for liquidremoval and method therein of the present invention illustrated in theFigures, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. Theclaimed invention, however, is not intended to be limited to thespecific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that eachspecific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in asimilar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the portable liquid removal device 10 preferablycomprises waste receptacle 20, lid assembly 30, intake attachmentassembly 50, vacuum attachment assembly 70, intake system 90, and vacuumsystem 110.

Receptacle 20 preferably comprises receptacle bottom 22, circumferentialwall 24, and upper lip 25, thereby forming a receptacle interior. Bottom22 and circumferential wall 24 are connected to preferably form acylindrical receptacle for liquid collection. Upper lip 25 of receptacle20 is dimensioned to receive lid assembly 30 thus sealing the receptacleinterior.

Lid assembly 30 preferably comprises lid exterior 32, lid interior 34,and lid lip 36. Lid assembly 30 preferably has two holes allowingattachment of intake attachment assembly 50 and vacuum attachmentassembly 70 to lid assembly 30. Lid interior 34 and lid lip 36 areplaced on receptacle 20 and in conjunction with upper lip 25 ofreceptacle 20 to seal the interior of receptacle 20. Furthermore, lidassembly 30 provides a junction where intake system 90 and vacuum system110 interface with receptacle 20 and the receptacle interior.

As shown in FIG. 3, intake attachment assembly 50 preferably compriseexterior male union 52, intake transport tube 54, elbow port 56, andshut off valve 58. Exterior male union 52 preferably connects withfemale union 98 of intake system 90. Intake transport tube 54 allowspassage of liquid through lid assembly 30 and into the receptacleinterior of receptacle 20. Elbow port is preferably oriented in thereceptacle interior such that incoming liquid into receptacle 20 directsaway from vacuum attachment assembly 70 preventing waste from enteringvacuum attachment assembly 70 and thus the vacuum source. Intaketransport tube 54 preferably contains shut off valve 58. Shut off valve58 preferably seals off intake attachment assembly 50 and receptacle 20during liquid transport to a receptacle.

Shown in FIG. 1-3, vacuum attachment assembly 70 preferably compriseexterior vacuum source attachment 72, bypass vent 74, vacuum tube 76,shut off valve 78, and interior suction port 80. Exterior vacuum sourceattachment 72 connects the device to a vacuum source such as a shop vac.Vacuum tube 76 connects exterior vacuum source attachment 72 to interiorsuction port 80 in the receptacle interior. Within exterior vacuumattachment 72 preferably exists bypass vent 74 and shut off valve 78.Shown in FIG. 3, bypass valve 74 allows air to circulate into the vacuumsource to prevent overheating of the vacuum source. Shut off valve 78preferably seals off vacuum attachment assembly 70 during liquidtransport to a receptacle.

As seen in FIG. 3, intake system 90 preferably comprises adapter 92,distal female union 94, intake transport tube 96, optional elbow joint95 and proximal female union 98. Adapter 92 preferably comprises firstmale end 91 and second male end 93, wherein first male end 91 connectsto the head reservoir or holding tank port on the boat or RV and secondmale end 93 connects to distal female union 94 which connects withintake transport tube 96. Proximal male union 98 preferably connectsexterior male union 52 of intake attachment assembly 50.

During use, intake system 90 is attached to the holding tank to beemptied and valves 58 and 78 are opened. Vacuum system 110 is thenenergized until the desired amount of waste is removed. Next, valves 58and 78 are closed and the intake system 90 and the vacuum system 110 areremoved. Receptacle 20 can then be transported to a desired location andemptied.

1. A portable device for liquid removal, comprising: a receptacle; a liddimensioned to attach to said receptacle; a means for producing asuction in said receptacle; and a means for fluid communication with theliquid to be removed and said receptacle.
 2. The portable device forliquid removal of claim 1, wherein said means for producing a suction isa vacuum.
 3. The portable device for liquid removal of claim 1, whereinsaid means for producing a suction is a pump.
 4. The portable device forliquid removal of claim 1, wherein said means for fluid communication isa hose.
 5. The portable device for liquid removal of claim 1, whereinsaid lid comprises a first port and a second port, wherein said mean forproducing a suction is attachable to said first port and said means forfluid communication is attachable to said second port.
 6. The portabledevice for liquid removal of claim 5, further comprising a shut-offvalve carried by said means for fluid communication.
 7. The portabledevice for liquid removal of claim 5, wherein said second port comprisesan elbow joint positioned such that the entering fluid is directed awayfrom said first port.
 8. A means for removing waste from a holding tank,comprising the steps of: a. obtaining a receptacle comprising a lidhaving a first port and a second port, wherein a vacuum source isattached to said first port and a hose is attached to said second port;b. attaching said hose to the holding tank; c. energizing said vacuum toproduce a suction within said receptacle, wherein the waste from theholding tank travels into said receptacle via said hose; and d.de-energizing said vacuum upon removal of the waste.
 9. The means ofclaim 8, further comprising the steps of: a. disconnecting said hosefrom the holding tank; and b. transporting said receptacle having thewaste therein to a suitable waste disposal location and disposing thewaste therein.
 10. A portable device for liquid removal, comprising: areceptacle; a lid dimensioned to attach to said receptacle, wherein saidlid comprises a first port and a second port; a vacuum in communicationwith said first port; and a hose having a first end and a second end,wherein said first end is in fluid communication with the liquid to beremoved and said second end is in fluid communication with said secondport.
 11. The portable device for liquid removal of claim 10, furthercomprising a shut-off valve in fluid communication with said hose. 12.The portable device for liquid removal of claim 10, wherein said secondport comprises an elbow joint positioned such that the entering fluid isdirected away from said first port.